Chapter 21 Arrival

Keith arrived just in time to see Clara pacing back and forth near the mansion steps, her face flushed and her hands fluttering like a panicked bird.

"Clara?" he asked, brow furrowing in confusion. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Clara spun around to face him, eyes wide with lingering shock. "Not a ghost, Keith…

something worse."

Keith raised an eyebrow. "Worse than a ghost?"

She pointed dramatically at the carriage. "I—I opened the door to call Luren, and—they were kissing! No—not just kissing. It was heated. Hands everywhere. Luren was on the Duke—like, on him!"

Keith blinked, trying to process what she just said. "Wait. What?"

Clara threw her hands in the air. "We trusted the Duke to protect him, not… ravish him in a

moving carriage!"

Keith looked toward the carriage, a mixture of surprise and disbelief on his face.

"That… doesn't sound like His grace."

Clara narrowed her eyes. "Oh, it was him. And he looked very proud of himself."

The carriage door slowly creaked open again, this time without any surprises.

Craige stepped out first, composed but visibly smug, straightening his coat like

nothing had happened. He extended a hand behind him.

Luren emerged next, cheeks flushed, lips slightly swollen, eyes darting everywhere

but at Clara and Keith. He clutched Craige's hand tightly, silently begging the ground to swallow him whole.

Clara's jaw dropped even further. "You've got nerve," she hissed under her breath, crossing her arms as they approached.

Keith, still trying to understand the situation, blinked as he looked between the two men. "Is that… a mark on Luren's neck?"

Luren quickly raised his collar, face burning. "It's… a bug bite."

Craige chuckled lowly beside him. "A very passionate bug," he murmured, leaning in

close, which only made Luren elbow him lightly in the ribs.

"Stop it," Luren whispered, mortified.

Clara took a sharp breath, then stepped in front of them. "So… did the two of you even

notice the carriage stopped? Or were you planning to—what—ride it all the way to the moon?"

Craige gave her a lopsided grin. "The destination wasn't exactly my focus at the time."

"Craige!" Luren hissed, pulling at his sleeve.

Keith cleared his throat, lips twitching in an attempt not to laugh. "Well… welcome home, I guess?"

Clara narrowed her eyes. "Welcome home indeed. You better hope the maids didn't see. Or the gardener. Or heaven forbid, the butler."

Craige shrugged, placing a hand on Luren's lower back protectively. "Let them see. I'm

not ashamed of what's mine."

Luren looked up at him, caught between horror and quiet warmth.

Clara groaned and turned away. "I need a drink."

They all entered the mansion

"Greetings your grace" The three visitor bow and smile at Luren

"Mother, Uncle Kellen and Kal what are doing here even Clara? He happily hug the three

"His grace told us that you will leaving to the north today so we come here to see you"

Marian said she was so happy seeing Luren in good shape.

"I leave you all here, I have something to finish first." Craige and Keith leave and

goes to his office

"Hey tell mother and father what with you and the duke" Clara said and sit beside him

Luren's fingers twist in the hem of his tunic as he gathers the courage to speak. His

voice comes out soft, almost a whisper, before it steadies.

"Uncle…Mother… I—I need you to know that His Grace and I… w-we are … in a courtship.

It began with his protection, but… it's grown into something deeper. I-I care for him... truly."

He swallows, cheeks warm.

"I-I understand how this must sound, yet my heart is set. We've spoken openly, and

the Duke himself… he honors the bond between us. I only ask for your blessing,

if not now, then in time."

He keeps his gaze lowered, shoulders tense, waiting for their reply.

Marian pulled Luren into a warm embrace, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes.

"I'm happy as long as you're happy. We will always be here for you, Luren," she whispered, her arms tightening around him with motherly affection.

Kellen stepped forward and wrapped Luren in a firm hug, his expression gentle and

sincere.

"I'm glad you've found someone you truly care for," he said with a soft smile, his eyes

shining with quiet pride. "You deserve to be loved, Luren."

---

"Venn sent a message from the north," Keith said, his voice tight with anger. "It seems

Count Lesbon has been working with the barbarians. He's also the one who

orchestrated the attack on you with Luren and the mercenaries. That old man's a

traitor, he's been eyeing the diamond mine in the northern mountains while you were out fighting on the battlefield."

Craige's jaw clenched. His eyes darkened with fury. "Tell Venn to gather concrete

evidence. It's time we punish that greedy bastard. So many problems have risen

in the duchy while I've been away for too long."

Keith hesitated, then added, "There's also a rumor… that Fiona is to become the Duchess."

Craige's eyes widened in disbelief. "Where did that come from?" he asked sharply,

irritation lacing his tone.

"Fiona is one of the knights, "She's a baron's daughter.

"Remember your last rut at the border? You

spent days with her. The soldiers noticed, she didn't leave your room for three days. After that, she could barely walk."

Craige groaned and held his temple, guilt and frustration creeping in. "Damn this

Alpha body…"

"I remember taking a suppressant while I was there," he said, trying to piece things

together.

Keith nodded grimly. "That week, it didn't arrive. Snowstorm blocked all supplies. Your

rut also happen that day, Fiona was the only woman in the Night Watchers…"

Craige let out a heavy sigh, burdened. "I need to explain everything to Luren…"

He looked away for a moment before refocusing. "Is the carriage ready for our journey north?"

"Everything's ready," Keith confirmed, more serious now.

"We need to make a stop at the Western Duchy," Craige added, signing some papers with a frown.

"What?!" Keith nearly shouted, eyes wide in disbelief. "You know Duke Cassian will kill

you if he sees you again! You humiliated his sister, Arabelle!"

"I know," Craige replied quietly. "But we need him. We need every ally we can get against

the southern faction if we want to dismantle the king's harem."

Keith exhaled deeply, his expression torn but resolute. "Alright. I'll make the preparations… but don't expect a warm welcome."